Puebla vs Tijuana Xolos Liga MX Guardianes 2021- Match Preview
TIJUANA, MEXICO - AUGUST 23: Mauro Laines of Tijuana and Israel Reyes of Puebla compete for the ball during the 6th round match between Tijuana and Puebla as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Caliente Stadium on August 23, 2020 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Photo by Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
Puebla vs Tijuana Xolos
Estadio Cuauhtemoc, Puebla, Mexico
Friday, Jan.22. 2021
5:30 p.m. pst
TV: TUDN
The Tijuana Xolos will play their third match in the Liga MX 2021 Guardianes season this Friday, Jan.22, as the Aztec Canines travel to the Estadio Cuauhtemoc to face Puebla. Club Tijuana has not won or scored this season as it has been a rough couple of weeks for Pablo Guede and company.
The defense has not been an issue at all for the Xolos as the border city club has not allowed any goals so far. Pablo Guede has used the defensive partnership of Gonzalo Jara and Victor Guzman but has also experimented by using Eduardo Tercero in place of Guzman.
The biggest issue for the Border City Dogs has been the inconsistent offense, which has struggled to create scoring opportunities. The strike partnership of Mauro Manotas and Miguel Angel Sansores has not been effective for Club Tijuana as the new additions have struggled to adapt.
Tijuana manager Pablo Guede needs to explore other options like maybe switching the formation and incorporating more creative players like Fidel Martinez or Marcel Ruiz. Players like Fabian Castillo and David Barbona also need to be better for the Xoloitzcuintles to break this goal drought.
Puebla has surprisingly been one of the better teams to begin the new season with a draw against Chivas at home, and an away win against Cruz Azul. Unlike Xolos, Puebla has scored this season, but like Club Tijuana, has also managed to keep an orderly backline.
The dynamic of Puebla has changed drastically from last season, now with 36-year-old manager Nicolas Larcamon in charge. Larcamon brings an attractive style of play to Puebla while also keeping order as La Franja emerges like an interesting team this season.
The attack for Puebla has a lot of potential with Santiago Ormeno, who scored six goals leading it. Along with the explosivity of Christian Tabo and the creativity of Colombian winger Omar Fernandez, which makes for a great partnership.
The midfield is also an important component for Los Camoteros, with team captain Javier Salas being the focal point of it. Puebla has a decent team and has enough talent to make this a very tough match for the Tijuana Xolos at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc.
Player to Watch
Fabian Castillo
The Xolos’ offense has clearly been an issue this season, and Fabian Castillo is the key player that has the ability to turn things around. The Colombian winger has speed, creativity, and dribbling abilities that can be the x-factor for Club Tijuana in a game like this.
Prediction
EVT predicts a 2-1 win for Puebla in this match as the Xolos have struggled severely on the road with Pablo Guede, and there seems to be no sign of that trend changing.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.